For the small things in life worth mentioning but perhaps not worth an entry of their own I have several part written blog entries and a few others that I’ve thought seriously about but not posted. These may or may not see the light of day. This week is likely to be the last sail of the season. They’ve not said as much but given how early we’ll have to be off the water I can’t see managing the week after. I both am and am not ready for the season to be over. I have some exciting plans for the off season For the past few weeks I’ve been…

There are, perhaps, five Tuesday evening sails left this year. I personally suspect only four but five is most likely and the most it could be is six. Although the person who runs sailability always says when asked “we try to keep sailing until the clocks change” I think I’ve only ever sailed in October once. In a way I look forward to the off season and what that will bring – I have a couple of very exciting things planned for October and later in the year. But most of me isn’t ready for the hot day, sunshine and sailing to come to an end. How can it be…

The last weekend in May was the Challenger Class Association Oxford Regatta. And this year the Oxford regatta was also the English National Championships. For various reasons I stopped attending any of the regattas other than the Oxford one a few years ago. Part of me would like to go to more of them but it was definitely the right decision. This year I very nearly didn’t take part in the Oxford regatta either but I’m so glad I did, I had a brilliant time. I’ve written in previous years about the difficulties I face with regattas – I’ve struggled a lot first with being able to sail so many…

The weather was so bad on Monday that I was sure I wouldn’t be going sailing And then on Tuesday it was better but I still thought it likely we wouldn’t go. As the day went on I began to suspect a yes was possible. Then I got an email saying it wasn’t great weather and the access dinghies wouldn’t go out but confident challenger sailors were welcome but likely to get wet. I’m never quite sure when they say that whether I’m what they mean by confident challenger sailors. I’m quite a fair weather sailor and I get scared easily. But the friend I was getting a lift with…

Farmoor reservoir where I sail is a beautiful place. Particularly in the evening when the sun is setting. I have many photos of those moments and even after all these years of sailing it can still take my breath away. This year there haven’t been many evenings at the sailing club because of the weather and even when we’ve been there it’s been dreary and meh so I’ve not added many photos to my collection. And even fewer have been worth sharing here on my blog. But this week I ended up with one that ticked both categories. Photo shows a very still reservoir with a setting sun, a few…

For the small things worth mentioning but probably not worth a blog entry of their own + The furosemide for my lymphoedema is working and my feet are improved. Still obviously swollen but less so and my trainers fit better (but are still out of shape). I’m pleased. Blood test tomorrow to check the meds haven’t messed up my kidneys (and at my request check my iron) + I got sailing for the first time in several weeks last night. I really didn’t think I would based on what they were saying in advance about the weather but I was bored so we went to see. Even when we got…

I can’t believe tonight was the last sail in June and this is the first one of these posts I’ve done this year. Although I think between the couple of times I couldn’t go and it being called off due to weather several times and one or two other blips this was only the fourth or fifth Tuesday evening I’ve been on the water this year (not counting the regatta.) I think fourth but it’s niggling at my that it’s fifth although I can’t think when that was. Lots of photos today – I think these might be the most I’ve posted in any one of these entries. We stayed…

S is for Sailing I take part in a local sailability (adaptive sailing) group once a week between April and October. My relationship with sailing is a strange one because it’s not something I’d ever thought of taking part in until a friend spent over a year going on and on at me that i had to try it. I said I’d go. But only once and if I didn’t want to go again he had to shut up about it. I wasn’t going to want to go again, I was sure of it. Well, I went one day back in 2006 and I’ve been going ever since. I loved…

A better week for self care this week but still not the best I’ve ever had. I’ve enjoyed spending time with friends, particularly with new friends on a couple of days and I’ve been wriitng. Mostly the blog entries I’ve shared here but one other thing too. And the plan to get me some time out is continuing to be worked on. I keep nearly pinning it down and then changing my mind again. There’s a possibility that I have a pretty awesome opportunity coming my way but I won’t know for definite for just under two months. It’s looking extremely likely though and I’m pleased. And the first sail…

I wanted to do these regularly this year but so many times when I’ve seen things to post I’ve not had my phone so couldn’t take a picture. Tuesday night, just before ten to seven (although to be fair I only know that due to the date stamp on the picture) three of us were chatting. And then we realised that the clouds had parted somewhat and the sun was visible again. Bright red in a very gray and previously bland sky. It didn’t stay long as it was very rapidly setting. But we all went scrabbling for our phones and just about got pics in time. It seemed to…